With the construction of Catholic Community Services of Utah’s Ogden building complete, a Ribbon Cutting was held on Monday, July 12.
Valued community members gathered to celebrate this milestone as the Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake, dedicated and blessed the building.
“Catholic Community Services is a school of compassion, a school of mercy, a school of love,” said Bishop Solis during his opening remarks. Bishop Solis then walked through the building, blessing it with Holy Water.
Attendees also heard from Catholic Community Services’ Executive Director, Brad Drake. Drake, who grew up in Ogden, holds the work done in the Ogden facility close to heart. He noted that the completion of the new building is a dream come true for those in need in the Ogden area.
Catholic Community Services’ Basic Needs Director, Randy Chappell, echoed that sentiment by stating that “this building is for the people of Ogden.”
Chappell told those in attendance that at the beginning of every staff meeting, staff members are asked to share their “why,”— why they come to work and do their job every day. Oftentimes, that space is filled with client success stories.
Chappell noted that in the short time since moving into the newly constructed building, staff members have already seen clients making strides. Clients impacted by food insecurity gratefully walk the aisles of the grocery store style food pantry in search of necessities for their families. Those facing homelessness are provided with clothing and case management services connecting them to local resources. Community members in need of immigration assistance are met with reliable help.
It is the hope of Catholic Community Services that Ogden community members and clients will continue to utilize the newly constructed building and its resources for many years to come in an effort to make strides not only as individuals, but as a community.